1940s Bethlehem, Pa. Bethlehem Steal, Dunlop Tire on fire, Old Airport

Here's an old silent home movie of the Bethlehem area including a former airport in the Bethlehem, Pa area, Bethlehem Steel, Dunlop Tire company on fire and an old, unidentified Ma & Pop store.

[@RadCenter]

According to an article in the Allentown Morning Call, 28 April 1941, a mass flight of 42 Piper Cubs landed at the Allentown-Bethlehem Airport (now ABE) on April 27 for a 90-minute refueling stop. The planes had just rolled off the assembly line in Lock Haven, PA, and were on their way to LaGuardia Airport for a mass christening before they were deployed by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Before leaving for the UK, the fleet made a tour of the US to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund. The planes in the film are painted in RAF markings, and you can see "RAF Benevolent" painted on the side of one. There were a total of 48 planes in the fleet (one for each US state at the time), but 8 planes arrived behind the others so there were only 42 on this stop. The planes were piloted by Piper Aircraft employees. One of them was a woman; others were the president of Piper Aircraft and his son.

[@RadCenter]

The fire shown in the film happened on 25 February 1941. It began in a dry goods store operated by Benjamin Dinner at 218 E. 3rd Street and spread to several surrounding storefronts. Fire Chief A. E. Anderson deemed the fire to be of suspicious origin. Explosions were heard before the fire was observed.

[@joelfrombethlehem]

I believe that the old Bethlehem airport was located along Hellertown Rd / Main St - Hellertown where the I-78 interchange is today.

[@beholden_to_ducks]

You are correct

[@RadCenter]

You are correct, but the airport shown in the film was the Allentown-Bethlehem Airport, now ABE.

[@bpd231martinko9]

Best I can tell by the surrounding buildings tha Dunlop Tire store looks like it is on the south side of Third St. in the 200 or 300 Blk.

[@bigjohn08865]

Interesting video.